NASA fuels space shuttle for final voyage of Atlantis

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — An experienced crew of astronauts boarded space shuttle Atlantis on Friday for its final journey, a delivery trip to the International Space Station that will provide fresh batteries and extra room.

Atlantis was due to blast off at 11:20 a.m. PDT, everything was going well in the countdown and the weather was looking favorable. Forecasters were sticking with their 70% odds of good weather. Clouds were the lone concern.

More than 40,000 spectators — the biggest launch-day crowd in years — descended on Kennedy Space Center and the roads leading into it, all of them eager to witness Atlantis’ last launch.

“Hock, you look good in that seat,” Mission Control told commander Kenneth Ham as he strapped in.

“Thanks for checking in, brother,” Ham replied to the astronaut who conducted the voice check from Mission Control in Houston.

The six astronauts — all men — waved and shook their fists as they headed to the launch pad at midmorning.

The 12-day mission is the last one for Atlantis, the fourth in NASA’s line of space shuttles. Only two flights remain after this one, by Discovery and Endeavour. NASA plans to end the 30-year program by the end of this year.
Atlantis rocketed into orbit for the first time in 1985. This will be its 32nd trip and the 132nd shuttle flight overall.

The shuttle is loaded with fresh batteries and a Russian-built compartment for the space station.

-- Associated Press